Forest review

Forest takes the top spot because its free tier covers what most students need from a focus app. You start a timer, a tree grows, and if you leave for another app the tree dies. Deep Focus mode goes further and blocks other apps during the session, and Forest says this blocker is free on every tier. Plant Together rooms let a study group focus at the same time, with iPhone and Android users in the same room, and the free plan also includes ambient sounds, focus tracking, a Focus Challenge and one Time Guard limit for an app or site. Your account syncs between iPhone, iPad, Android and the browser. The limits show up once you want detail: focus analytics, custom tags, pausing and the extra soundscapes sit in Forest Plus. Plus is listed at $5.99 a month as an early bird price on the US App Store, and Forest notes that prices vary by region and platform.

Who it is for

Students who want a phone-free study timer with friends, at no cost.

Price

Free plan with no time limit; Forest Plus from $5.99 per month (introductory price) on the US App Store.

Monthly (Early Bird) $5.99
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 10, 2026.

Key features

• Focus timer with countdown and stopwatch modes
• Deep Focus mode that blocks other apps during a session, free on every tier
• Plant Together focus rooms that iOS and Android users can join together
• Time Guard limit for 1 app or site on the free plan
• Sync across iPhone, iPad, Android and the browser

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: App blocking is included on the free tier
• Strength: Group focus rooms suit study groups
• Strength: Works on phones and in the browser
• Weakness: Focus analytics and custom tags need Plus
• Weakness: Pausing a session is not available to free users
• Weakness: Plus prices vary by region and platform

Key facts

• Free plan: Yes, no payment and no time limit
• Platforms: iOS, Android and browser
• App blocker: Deep Focus, free on all tiers
• Users: Over 60 million since 2014

Where it ranks

Forest is No. 1 in our Best Free Focus Apps verdict.